About Us

Our Team

We are a team of insurance professionals committed to serving the cannabis community in an ethical and informed fashion. We are passionate about cannabis and have dedicated our practice to ensuring cannabis business owners have quality insurance. We are proud members of the CCIA and are actively involved in educating businesses about insurance and quality coverage.

Stephanie Bozzuto

Stephanie Bozzuto

Co-Founder
& President of Marketing

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Danny Bozzuto

Danny Bozzuto

Co-Founder
& President of Operations

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Andrea Hering

Andrea Hering

Co-Founder
& Director of Sales

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Daniel Garcia Jr.

Daniel Garcia Jr.

Vice President- Commercial Division
Broker/Advisor

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David Weinstein

David Weinstein

Head of Risk and Claims, Acrisure West

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Cindy Ponce

Cindy Ponce

Commercial Insurance Broker

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Ralyssa Robinson

Ralyssa Robinson

Commercial Insurance Broker

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Jessica Easterling

Jessica Easterling

Senior Account Manager

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Mandy Lavenduskey

Mandy Lavenduskey

Account Manager

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Nicolette Gonzalez

Nicolette Gonzalez

Account Manager

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Janie McNay

Janie McNay

Account Coordinator

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Maddy Michaels

Maddy Michaels

Marketing Coordinator

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Kenzie Scott

Kenzie Scott

Account Coordinator

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Stephanie Bozzuto

Co-Founder & President of Marketing

Stephanie Bozzuto is an insurance professional with 16 years’ experience in business development, marketing strategy, and insurance coverage analysis. Stephanie is the Co-Founder of Cannabis Connect Insurance, a partner of Acrisure LLC, currently the largest insurance brokerage in the world and fastest growing in industry history. With program management skills, Stephanie has co-developed cannabis insurance product offerings and is utilized as a cannabis insurance expert for other Acrisure insurance brokerages throughout the nation.

Stephanie speaks on multiple platforms and panels about insurance, loss prevention and compliance in the cannabis industry. She is an active member of the Insurance Committee of the California Cannabis Industry Association, Chair Emeritus of the Risk Management & Insurance Committee of the National Cannabis Industry Association and the Chair Emeritus of the Acrisure Cannabis Center of Excellence. Stephanie won Producer of the Year for her outstanding performance at the firm for five consecutive years from 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. In 2021, she won Business Insurance’s “Break Out Award” being one of only 40, recognizing the next generation of industry leaders. Stephanie has also made the list of “top producers” at Acrisure in 2021 for her outstanding performance and won “Top Agents of the Year,” in 2021 where only 24 were selected nationally in the prestigious Insurance Journal Magazine.

Stephanie stays on top of industry trends, legislative changes, and insurance coverages to keep her client’s interests first in mind. She has the expertise in setting goals, monitoring projects and evaluating results to ensure her client’s objectives are met. Stephanie Bozzuto is a proven leader who thrives on learning and takes great pride in her work.

(877) 492-6958

(858) 525-5841

Danny Bozzuto

Co-Founder & President of Operations

Danny educates and empowers his clients when it comes to insurance. He has served on advisory committees, participated as a panelist for risk management and helped develop new insurance programs. Danny is a member of the San Jose Rotary, San Jose Downtown Association, the Silicon Valley Organization, and the Silicon Valley Cannabis Alliance. Danny works with Cannabis Connect’s carriers, understanding product exclusions, inclusions and endorsements. Danny’s focus is to ensure Cannabis Connect only sells insurance products that provide you with the right coverage at the right cost.

(877) 492-6958

(408) 680-0253

Andrea Hering

Co-Founder & President of Sales

Andrea has been part of the firm for over 16 years and became a partner in 2014. During this time, Andrea has become a trusted adviser, offering unique insurance and risk management solutions to clients in affordable housing, development, construction and cannabis. Andrea is one of the greatest driven employees at the firm, consistently bringing in some of the largest accounts in the company while earning the title, Sales Manager. Andrea’s expertise in cannabis insurance is substantial with a niche in construction cannabis projects. Andrea’s background in construction and developers give her the ability to insure cannabis projects while under construction and when they are fully operational.

(877) 492-6958

(408) 429-9874

Ralyssa Robinson

Commercial Insurance Broker

Ralyssa is a highly qualified Commercial Risk Manager and Broker with Cannabis Connect Insurance. She brings a wealth of expertise to the niche cannabis space, with professional designations including Management Lines Insurance Specialist (MLIS) and Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS). These focuses allow her to expertly address both construction risks associated with the ongoing expansion and growth of cannabis operations as well as the specific insurance risks associated with M&A and IPO. Ralyssa has a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Business Finance and Marketing, Associate of Arts (AA) in Business Management, and Associate of Science (AS) in Computer Information Systems. She has established a reputation for exceeding client expectations through her knowledge and quality service.

(877) 492-6958

David Weinstein

Sr. Vice President – CompZone

David Weinstein is a Senior Vice President of Acrisure West. He has 23 years of experience delivering insurance and risk management solutions across many industries including cannabis. Areas of specialization for David include workers’ compensation, occupational safety, Experience Modification Ratings and Cal-OSHA compliance. He is co-founder of CompZone™ an in-house consultancy providing high level workers’ compensation, regulatory compliance and EHS solutions to mid and large sized companies. David is also the founder of West Coast Direct Insurance Services LLC, an Acrisure Double ACE Wholesaler, which supports partner agencies through the placement of multi-line insurance coverages and the provision of safety and compliance services. David participates on the councils of multiple workers’ compensation carriers.

A resident of Forestville, CA, David serves on the board of the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. He previously served on the board of a Humboldt County-based coastal conservation organization. David is an alum of Muhlenberg College and the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

(707) 303-2544

Cindy Ponce

Commercial Insurance Broker

Cindy Ponce is a very experienced broker and has provided insurance coverage to the industry since 2002. Cindy joined the Hayes Cannabis team in 2010 ultimately becoming the department head in 2016.  She later joined the VANTREO cannabis team via an agency consolidation. Well known for her expertise in cannabis coverage, Cindy became the exclusive cannabis broker for Golden Bear in 2017 after collaborating with their team during their entry into the Cannabis insurance market.

(510) 662-1938

Daniel Garcia Jr.

Vice President- Commercial Division

Broker/Advisor

Daniel Garcia Jr. has over 9 years of experience in the commercial insurance and risk management space. Prior to insurance, he spent 6 years in the retail banking and financial planning industry, finishing his tenure in the industry with JP Morgan/Chase Private Client. In 2016, Daniel focused his business insurance efforts on the emerging cannabis industry. He found immediate success, leaning on his own experience and contacts from his time as a trimmer through college in the traditional cannabis market in Southern Humboldt.

Daniel has a passion for the cannabis industry and has a track record for bringing new markets and ideas to the forefront. Daniel has been an instrumental figure in the development of cannabis insurance programs, most notably with his work in helping Quadscore come to the marketplace.

(707) 486-3378

Jessica Easterling

Senior Account Manager

Jessica began her insurance career as an Executive Assistant at Marsh in 2001. After becoming a licensed insurance broker in 2003, she has specialized in emerging technology and construction.

As cannabis laws underwent transformative shifts, with legalization on the horizon, Jessica attended Oaksterdam University in 2016. Eager to deepen her cannabis knowledge, Jessica took on a pivotal role as a dedicated volunteer CFO with Compassion programs and the East Bay Canna Community. Her dedication and involvement in these initiatives have significantly contributed to the growth and connectivity within the local cannabis communities of the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2022, Jessica assumed the role of Senior Account Manager at Acrisure, overseeing a portfolio of accounts within the cannabis and manufacturing sectors.

Jessica remains abreast of the latest developments in the cannabis industry, diligently staying informed about regulatory updates across different states. Jessica’s engagement in the cannabis industry has not only broadened her knowledge but also positioned her as a committed participant in the dynamic evolution of the cannabis scene. Her foremost commitment lies in delivering exceptional client service, grounded in a comprehensive understanding of cannabis before it became an industry.

(707) 303-2542

Mandy Lavenduskey

Account Manager

Mandy started her insurance career in 2004 and has worked as an account manager of personal and commercial lines with various Insurance Agents and Brokers throughout her career. Her introduction to the cannabis insurance world came when she was underwriting cannabis business insurance programs with a Managing General Agent.

Mandy enjoys working with the rapidly growing cannabis industry and coming up with solution based answers for her clients. She prides herself on maintaining high standards of quality customer service and strives to meet the ever-increasing expectations for her clients.

(877) 492-6958

Nicolette Gonzalez

Account Manager

Nicolette started her insurance career in 2018 as a Customer Service Representative. She worked her way up to an Account Coordinator with her own book of business specializing in the cannabis industry. On top of her career, Nicolette graduated cum laude from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. She seeks to make an ever changing industry easier to navigate through excellent customer service.

(408) 680-0280

Janie McNay

Account Coordinator

Janie embarked on a career in the insurance industry in 2021, joining Acrisure as a Front Desk Manager before moving into an Account Coordinator role. In 2022, she successfully completed the Liberty Mutual Business Lines Producer Development Program, further honing her expertise and gaining valuable insights into the intricacies of commercial insurance. She is widely recognized for her attention to detail and commitment to providing outstanding customer service.

(408) 680-0219

Maddy Michaels

Marketing Coordinator

Maddy has been an invaluable member of Cannabis Connect Insurance, a specialty division of Acrisure, for the past year. With a solid background in marketing and social media, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise, having successfully marketed for music companies, artists, and local political campaigns.

Recognizing the power of compelling content and staying ahead of trends, Maddy has taken the lead in revitalizing Cannabis Connect’s online presence, catapulting the company to new heights in the rapidly expanding market. One of Maddy’s key responsibilities at Cannabis Connect is spearheading the marketing efforts for sponsored events and webinar appearances by the company’s Co-Founders and Account Managers. Her strategic approach and innovative ideas for trending content have significantly elevated the brand’s visibility and engagement across various digital platforms.

Maddy thoroughly enjoys exploring and learning about the cannabis industry through her marketing efforts for Cannabis Connect. Her passion for the subject matter shines through in her work, as she continuously seeks to deepen her knowledge and expertise in this dynamic and evolving industry.

(408) 680-0203

Kenzie Scott

Account Coordinator

Kenzie is a dedicated professional with a passion for commercial insurance. Beginning her journey as a Marketing Assistant in 2022, she quickly proved herself as a valuable asset to the team with her strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Through her hard work and dedication, Kenzie transitioned to the role of Account Coordinator in 2024 at Cannabis Connect Insurance, an Acrisure Partner, where she continues to excel in providing top-notch service to clients. With a commitment to excellence and a drive for success, Kenzie plays an integral role in ensuring client satisfaction and success.

(616) 541-1215

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Tell us more about your cannabis business and we will provide a tailored quote specific to your insurance needs.